Modern jeepney firm gets LTFRB franchise

MAHINDRA’S modern jeepney boasts full amenities, including an automated fare collection system.

NEW TRANSPORT company EcoDyip, Inc. has been awarded by Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) a franchise to operate modern jeepneys dubbed “DyipKo” in two routes in Metro Manila.

The company said in a statement it currently has 50 DyipKo Supro for its Eastwood to Capital Commons route, and another 50 DyipKo Transmover for its Lawton to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) route.

“With the support from the local government specifically DoTr (Department of Transportation), EcoDyip aims to serve more routes as they expect to complete their target of 1,000 DyipKo units in the next three years,” the company said in a statement.

EcoDyip Managing Director Dennise C. Trajano told reporters after the awarding event in Pasig City that the company is investing roughly P2.2 billion for the vehicles it is purchasing from Indian company Mahindra.

Mahindra also provided for the 100 DyipKo units already delivered for the Eastwood-Capital Commons and Lawton-PTIX routes.

The modern jeepney units are furnished with air conditioning and CCTV cameras, and uses a tap-to-pay system that reads the company’s own DyipKo card.

Mr. Trajano noted the 1,000 DyipKo units it targets to acquire will be deployed mostly in the National Capital Region, but in the end it will depend on the franchise from the LTFRB.

The company is looking to expand the coverage of its DyipKo units, starting with its application for a Taguig route.

The government is currently in the process of moving from the classic jeepney units to modern e-jeepneys. This project, called the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), requires jeepney drivers and operators to replace vehicles aged 15 years and above within a three-year period. — Denise A. Valdez